Huron River Report Published Quarterly by the Huron River Watershed Council Protecting the River Since 1965 Spring 2009

Huron River Report Published quarterly by the Huron River Watershed Council Protecting the river since 1965 Spring 2009

MiCorps pg 5 “Down” by the River Implementing LID pg 7 Swans of the watershed Giving You a Better View pg 9

Swans of any kind are majestic looking observable at close range. In birds, and in the Huron River watershed the summer, the Trumpeter is three different species of swans use the the only black-billed swan that wetlands and open waters at various times remains in the watershed. If you of the year. Only two of the species are are lucky enough to hear the “native” to the area: the Tundra Swan and call of the Trumpeter Swan in the Trumpeter Swan. Further, only two the summer, then you will know species actually nest in the watershed: the exactly which species you are non-native Mute Swan and the Trumpeter. hearing and seeing. This species is appropriately named! Swan Identification 101 Swans are large, white birds with long Tundra Swan necks, but telling various species apart can As its name implies, the Tun- be tricky so here is a short lesson in swan dra Swan prefers the northern identification. The Mute Swan is the easi- tundra to our area for breeding, est to identify and the most commonly but even this well-insulated bird found. The Mute Swan is the only swan does not spend winters there. with an orange bill and a black knob at The Huron River watershed is Trumpeter swans. photo: used with permission from the Trumpeter Swan the base of the bill. It often holds its neck a stop along its migratory path Society, www.trumpeterswansociety.org in a curved fashion, rather than straight from the northern tundra to up and down like the two native species. eastern coastal states of New Erie. This species is rarely seen in other The other two species have bills that are Jersey through North Carolina. However, parts of the watershed. When they do pass smooth and black, except that the Tundra some Tundra Swans winter on open water through, they often travel in good-sized has a yellow spot on its bill often only at the mouth of the Huron River, on Lake continued on page 3 Great Lakes Compact Approved What it means for Michigan

In October 2008, after a decade of discus- ter conservation, return flow, prevention primarily under the authority of individual sion, negotiation, drafting, and legislative of environmental impacts, and uniform states and provinces. Regional bodies have deliberation, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence treatment for ground and surface water been established to provide oversight for River Basin Water Resources Compact has withdrawals. the process and review certain large-scale been approved by Congress and signed by water uses. the President. The federal approval comes after all eight Great Lakes states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, What it Means for Michigan The Great Lakes compact prohibits large- Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsyl- In 2006, Michigan enacted a new water scale diversions of water out of the water- vania, and New York) ratified the compact management law that for the first time shed. More significantly, it applies water in their respective legislatures. Under the imposed permits and other regulatory use rules and environmental protection compact and a companion agreement requirements on large-scale water with- standards to withdrawals for use within with the Canadian provinces of Ontario drawals. Along with approving the Great the watershed. The compact’s standards and Quebec, the world’s largest freshwater Lakes compact during the 2008 legislative represent advances in the development of resource will be protected and managed water use law in the region, including wa- according to standards administered continued on page 4 Table of Contents Featured Articles * = Adopt-A-Stream Monitoring Site “Down” by the River ...... cover Indicates geographic Swans of the watershed location connected to article. Great Lakes Compact Approved...... cover What it means for Michigan Michigan Clean Water Corps...... 5 Bringing water monitors together from across the state HRWC Spring and Summer Activities.....6 Many opportunities for watershed fun! Implementing Low Impact Development ...... 7 New resource for designers and reviewers cover

page 7 page 10

New HRWC Members ...... 8 Events Welcome NEW individual and business members

Friday, March 13, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Saturday, May 2, 10 AM – 4 PM Your Legacy ...... 8 Millers Creek Film Festival Bioreserve Field Assesment Training A better future for all living things Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor – FREE Matthaei Botanical Gardens Contact: [email protected] Contact: [email protected] Giving You a Better View ...... 9 How phosphorus impacts our waterways Saturday, April 4, 12 PM – 5 PM Saturday, May 16 at 1 PM – 4 PM Adopt-A-Stream Huron History and Geocaching Leadership Training New Center, Ann Arbor NEW Center, Ann Arbor Contact: [email protected] Regular Features Contact: [email protected] Sunday, May 17, 12 PM – 3 PM or Saturday, April 25, 9 AM – 3:30 PM 2 PM – 5 PM Know Your Board Representative...... 10 Sally Lusk, City of Ypsilanti or 10:30 AM – 5 PM Adopt-A-Stream ID Day Adopt-A-Stream River Round Up NEW Center, Ann Arbor Sign up by April 7 Contact: [email protected] Laura’s “Stream” of Consciousness...... 11 Contact: [email protected] A symphony for the Huron River Watershed Sunday May 31, 7 AM – 12 PM Thursday, April 30 5:30 PM – 7 PM Ann Arbor Dexter Run You Make the Difference! ...... 11 HRWC Annual Meeting HRWC Water/Aid Station Become a member of HRWC Location: Matthaei Botanical Contact: [email protected] Gardens, Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor Thank You! back cover Contact: [email protected] More events and updates at: www.hrwc.org HRWC offices are located at the NEW Center 1100 N. Main Street in Ann Arbor Call (734) 769-5123 or visit the HRWC website for directions

Page 2 Spring 2009 Huron River Report “Down” by the River continued from cover flocks, though an occasional straggler may linger if there is open water.

Mute Swan Few Ann Arbor residents may be aware that the most commonly observed swan, the Mute Swan, is an introduced, non- native species that began colonizing the Great Lakes area in the 1960s. Though these Eurasian birds were released in the northeastern U.S. in the late 1800s, biolo- gists have only recently become attuned to the extraordinary increases in their populations. Locally, the Ann Arbor Christ- mas Bird Count (CBC), an annual December survey of all birds within a 7.5-mile radius Mute Swans and Trumpeter Swans seen on the Ann Arbor Christmas Bird Counts since 1965. circle centered in Ann Arbor, has recorded The y-axis is the number of birds seen divided by the effort (party hours) made to find them, high numbers of Mute Swans in recent not the actual numbers of each species. Numbers of waterfowl are usually dependent on years (see graph). whether or not there is open water so one needs to look at the overall trend of change in numbers, not just one or two years. More information is available at www.audubon.org. credit: Audubon Christmas Bird Count website Large numbers of this most aggressive swan may begin to generate ecological In the early 1930s, only 69 individuals of Pond, the Arboretum, and in Little Lake, all problems for the State of Michigan, which Trumpeters were known to exist in the part of the Huron River Watershed. These until a 2001 federal court decision, was northwestern United States. Efforts to swans may or may not be locally nesting one of the few Great Lake states that of- expand populations have led to increases birds, but they likely will return to these fered protection for this bird. Mute Swans in Trumpeter Swan numbers with the larg- open water sites along the Huron River aggressively maintain large territories est populations being on the west coast. every winter as long as they can find food. during the breeding season, fending off All birds that are found east of the Rockies other waterfowl and wetland-dependent are a part of restoration projects that have Battling for prime real estate birds. They feed year-round on submerged taken place since the 1960s. Gallup Park patrons can see (and often aquatic vegetation, limiting food for native hear) the Trumpeters most frequently dur- migrant and resident waterfowl and de- Efforts in southwestern Michigan and at ing the winter and early spring. Unfortu- pleting habitat for invertebrates, fish and the Seney National Wildlife Refuge (in nately, every spring the Mute Swans have other animals. Mute Swans also tend to the Upper Peninsula) have brought the discouraged the Trumpeters from nesting feed on high-quality native plants, provid- Trumpeter Swan populations in Michigan in the Gallup/South Pond area with ag- ing an opportunity for aquatic weeds to to at least 200 individuals today. The only gressive territorial behavior, even though grow into the area. reintroduction effort that took place in the Trumpeters are much larger birds. As southeastern Michigan occurred in Ann a result of these territorial assertions, the Mute Swans prefer to nest in sites that Arbor. Pinioned Trumpeter Swan parents Mute Swans have tended to nest along the have easy access to open water, and a first nested successfully in 1994 at Geddes Huron River while the Trumpeter Swans mated pair often will nest in the same Lakes townhouses near Gallup Park. While have nested in ponds or marshes with area year after year. The pair, which mates the original parents were removed from ponds. It will be interesting to see how the for life, usually stays in the nesting area the site, at least one of the young, along local populations of the two swan species throughout the year, as long as open water with a mate from introduced Ohio popula- interact over the years. If you observe any and plentiful food are available. They nest tions, continued to nest there through nesting pairs of Trumpeter Swans, please in sites at Gallup Park, Ford Lake and along 2002. report them to [email protected] or the Huron River. In winter, large popula- to the Washtenaw Audubon Society at tions occur at Portage Lake and at Ford Other successful nesting pairs have been washtenawaudubon.org or (734) 994-3569. Lake as long as open water conditions observed in Lodi Township (2007, 2008) at remain. the southeast corner of the intersection — Dea Armstrong of Scio Church and Parker Roads, and in Trumpeter Swan Bridgewater Township. This past winter Deaver D. Armstrong is the City of Ann Arbor Trumpeter Swans historically bred in (2008/2009), adult Trumpeter Swans with Ornithologist, tracking wild bird populations southeastern Michigan. However, hunting, young of the year (identifiable by their throughout the area. the millinery trade, and draining of marsh- gray feathers) were seen on open water es led to a near extinction of the species. on the Huron River at Gallup Park, Barton

Huron River Report Spring 2009 Page 3 Great Lakes Compact Approved continued from cover session, Michigan strengthened its water For each type of affected stream withdrawal statutes by expanding its or river, withdrawals are divided permit system and creating an assessment into four impact zones (Zones A process to determine whether a proposed through D). Withdrawals in Zone withdrawal may cause an adverse impact D have such severe effects on on river systems (See 2008 Public Act the density or abundance of fish 179-190). populations that they are likely to cause a prohibited impact. Con- Key provisions of the Michigan versely, withdrawals in Zones A and law include: B are afforded the presumption that they are not likely to cause a • Requires permits for all new or prohibited impact. The assessment increased withdrawals over 2 million process was developed by the gallons per day (gpd) from any source, Michigan Groundwater Conserva- and withdrawals over 1 million gpd in tion Advisory Council (Advisory sensitive areas. Council) pursuant to the 2006 legislation. • Permits these withdrawals only if they meet the compact standard and do While a permit is only required for not violate public or private rights withdrawals over 2 million gpd, by and limitations imposed by Michigan July 2009 all new proposed “large water law or other Michigan common quantity withdrawals” (with excep- law duties. tions for residential properties) • Permanently sets aside and protects from streams, rivers, or ground- between 75% and 95% of summer water must use this new assess- low flows in all Michigan rivers and ment model (it will be publicly streams to preserve aquatic health. available on the MDEQ website) What we are protecting. photo: J. Oleksinski • Ensures adequate public participation to determine the impact zone of by providing public notification of the withdrawal (www.miwwat.org). any water withdrawal application and Once the water user enters data on the a public comment period of at least withdrawal – such as the capacity of the Advisory Council expanded 45 days for proposed withdrawals. equipment, the location of the with- drawal, and the amount and rate of water The Advisory Council has been expanded • Continues stronger regulatory protec- to be withdrawn – the tool provides an and renamed the Water Resources Con- tions for bottled water withdrawals immediate determination. servation Advisory Council. It will oversee and lowers the threshold for permits implementation of the new law and the for bottled water withdrawals to For most withdrawals initially determined effectiveness of the water withdrawal 200,000 gpd. to be in impact Zones A and B, the water assessment tool. The Advisory Council user may proceed immediately after will also develop criteria for what would The most significant advancement of the registering the water withdrawal with the be considered an adverse resource impact 2008 statute is the development of a MDEQ. However, withdrawals initially to a surface water system, such as a lake, water withdrawal assessment process that determined to be in Zones C and D must pond or wetland area. The Council will determines the impact of a specific with- undergo a site-specific review by the report to the standing natural resources drawal on river systems by calculating the MDEQ. This second level of assessment, committees in the legislature. effect of the stream flow reduction on to be completed within ten working days, fish populations. Fish population statistics allows the MDEQ to consider additional —Laura Rubin serve as an indicator of overall aquatic information (such as return flow) that might alter the outcome of the model. health. The assessment process helps the Sections of this article were used with Depending on the size of the withdrawal state and other users ascertain whether a permission from Noah Hall, Wayne State and the final determination of the impact new or increased “large quantity with- University Law School, Sara Gosman, Na- Zone, the water user may be required to drawal” (withdrawals of over 100,000 tional Wildlife Federation, and James Clift, obtain a permit even if the withdrawal is gpd averaged over a 30-day period) from Michigan Environmental Council. streams, rivers, or groundwater should be under 2 million gpd. prohibited because it causes an adverse resource impact.

Page 4 Spring 2009 Huron River Report Michigan Clean Water Corps Bringing water monitors together from across the state

HRWC has long been a national leader in volunteer monitoring programs. Its Adopt- A-Stream program has deployed thou- sands of volunteers to study the Huron and its tributaries. Since 2004, HRWC has been extending this expertise statewide. In partnership with the Great Lakes Com- mission, HRWC was awarded a contract to lead and administer a statewide volunteer water monitoring program, called the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps, pronounced “my-core”). Funding for Mi- Corps comes from the Michigan Depart- ment of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

In MiCorps, HRWC staff work with water- shed and other non-profit groups around Michigan to establish volunteer moni- toring programs similar to the Adopt-A- Stream program. Over the past four years, HRWC has trained 17 non-profit organi- zations in the methods used to sample aquatic macroinvertebrates and assess stream habitat. These groups include the Locations of lakes and stream groups enrolled in the MiCorps Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, the Program credit: HRWC Friends of the St. Clair River, and the River Raisin Watershed Council, among others. Each of these organizations has received a two-year grant from the MDEQ to estab- lish or significantly expand their program. ing lakes located within the Huron River hosts an annual conference at which water They have received group and individual watershed include Big Portage, Strawberry, experts and volunteers from around the training from HRWC, and each organiza- Base Line, Hawk, and Long. state gather to share their experiences. tion submits progress reports and detailed Both the MDEQ and member groups quality assurance plans use the data collected in the Mi- to ensure that the data Corps program to manage the state’s they collect is gathered lake and stream resources more with acceptable, scien- wisely. Just as important, though, tifically sound methods. is that programs of this type invite The quality assurance people of all ages and walks of life plans are a requirement to become stewards of the environ- of the MDEQ, as the state agency needs HRWC and the Great Lakes Commission ment. When people get out on a boat to reliable data from the MiCorps program have developed a website for the MiCorps pull out water samples or don waders to for their management strategies. program at www.micorps.net. This website collect macroinvertebrates, they experi- contains useful resources for the groups ence the river system firsthand and begin As part of MiCorps, HRWC also partners involved in the program, as well as anyone to understand the importance of keeping with the Michigan Lake and Stream Asso- else interested in volunteer monitoring. it healthy and safe. ciations (MLSA) and MDEQ in leading the As a part of this website, MiCorps staff — Paul Steen Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program, a developed a data exchange platform so program in which volunteers take weekly that monitoring groups can enter and summer measurements of the nutrient share data. This database is a reliable, status of their lakes. In the summer of ever-growing wealth of information on the 2008, 215 lake associations and individuals streams and lakes of Michigan. MiCorps measured lake parameters such as water also produces a semi-annual newsletter clarity, chlorophyll, phosphorus, dissolved that summarizes program accomplish- oxygen, and temperature. Participat- ments and highlights member groups, and

Huron River Report Spring 2009 Page 5 HRWC Spring and Summer Volunteer Activities Many opportunities for watershed fun!

Looking for volunteer opportunities that Saturday, April 25 - River Round Up: get you out and about in the watershed? Teams look for aquatic macroinver- HRWC events are a great way to see old tebrates (bugs) that are sensitive to friends, meet new people, and learn more environmental conditions and indicate about your local environment. the health of the river and its streams. Register with [email protected] before Friday, March 13 at 4:30 PM - Millers April 14th to be placed on a team. Creek Film Festival: Come to the Michigan Theater (603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor) and Saturday, May 2, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM - bring a batch of homemade cookies to Bioreserve Field Assessment Training share. Help prepare the lobby before the – Field Season II: festival, hand out programs, or clean up at Learn how to conduct field assessments about 6 PM. Contact Joan at (734) 769-5123 and sign up for assessments that take An intrepid team searches for indicator bugs in x11 or [email protected]. place May through September 2009. stream samples during a recent River RoundUp. The training session is at Matthaei photo: HRWC Saturday, April 18 - Middle Huron Tribu- Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor and will tary Monitoring Training: Curious about be followed by a field trip to prac- water quality? Want to learn how to chase tice doing assessments at the Botanical thunderstorms and witness their impact? Gardens’ beautiful natural areas. Contact There are NEW volunteer opportunities Come find out how you can help collect Kris at (734) 769-5123 x16 or kolsson@hrwc. with HRWC. If you are interested in plan- water quality and flow data to help track org if you are interested. Those with plant ning or volunteering for special events like the condition of creeks in the middle part identification knowledge or familiar- Suds on the River, Baseline Lake Swim with of the watershed. No experience neces- ity with wildflowers, grasses, and trees Liz Elling, Annual Meeting, Dexter Ann sary. Volunteers will learn how to use vari- would be especially helpful. Let’s contin- Arbor Run aid station, Huron River Day, or ous kinds of scientific monitoring equip- ue the success of the last field season, in to join a new membership committee that ment and will help collect samples twice which more than 25 volunteers performed is forming now, please contact Margaret at per month from May through September. over 90 field assessments through woods, [email protected] or at (734) 769-5123 x19. Contact Debi ([email protected]) or Ric swamps, and fields on more than 40 differ- ([email protected], (734) 769-5123 x13). ent properties throughout the watershed. —Margaret Smith, Kris Olsson and For more information, see www.hrwc.org/ Joan Martin text/bioreserve.htm. More Fun Activities in the Watershed... Huron River history and is enjoyed by people from all age groups Geocaching Workshop and encourages a strong sense of commu- Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 1:00 PM nity and support for the environment. River History and Geocaching Workshop video still: D. Nienhuis video still: D. NEW Center, 1100 N. Main St., Ann Arbor Get the history and how-to information with us at this workshop, then take the Millers Creek Film Festival South Conference Room Friday, March 13, 2009, 4:30 – 6 PM Huron River History with Grace Shackman; summer to enjoy The Huron History Mys- Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor How to Geocache with Bob Hospadaruk, tery Tour Geocache, the longest, 5-star Join us at the 4th annual festival of locally Michigan Geocaching Organization terrain geocaching adventure ever, with 22 produced, short and entertaining films RSVP to Margaret Smith, msmith@hrwc. caches placed over 100 miles on the Huron about our fresh water. Film topics include org or (734) 769-5123 x19 River. Each cache contains one highly edu- locations throughout the 900-square-mile cational collectible Trading Card — collect watershed, not just in the Festival’s name- Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting all 22! This river adventure was the brain- sake creek. game played throughout the world by child of HRWC and was made possible by adventure seekers equipped with GPS de- Michigan Geocaching Organization. This FREE EVENT is a great way to end the vices. The idea is to locate hidden contain- week! Following the screening and awards, ers, called geocaches, outdoors and then To learn more, go to the filmmakers join the audience for a share your experiences online. Geocaching www.huronhistorymysterytour.com. reception featuring homemade cookies in the grand lobby. We hope to see you there!

Page 6 Spring 2009 Huron River Report Implementing Low Impact Development in Michigan New resource for designers and reviewers

During these demanding economic times, with reduced pressure for new housing and commercial development, communities can focus on amending policy to incorporate new planning objectives. Designers can begin to think about environmental protection goals at the beginning of the development process to maximize environmental benefits by incorporating Low Impact Development (LID) into policies and plans.

LID can be implemented easily into re- Before LID development projects by using practices such as bioswales, rain gardens, and green roofs to capture 100 percent of stormwater runoff, thereby eliminating the need for costly stormwater manage- ment infrastructure.

A Practical LID Manual The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), working with experts from across the state and with funding and support from MDEQ, has developed the guidance manual Low Impact Development Manual for Michi- gan: A Design Guide for Implementers and Reviewers. The manual includes 500 pages of technical and policy guidance in implementing LID specific to Michi- gan conditions. LID focuses on using After LID design techniques such as rain gardens, green roofs, porous pavement and others to capture, filter and infiltrate Easy Street in Southeast Ann Arbor before and after LID reconstruction. The stormwater to mimic presettlement improvements include porous shoulders and infiltration trenches. photos: J.F. New hydrology as much as possible. Local governments, engineers, developers, and builders can refer to the LID manual as a evaporate, and detain stormwater runoff To obtain the LID manual or policy and design guide for new develop- close to where it originates. brochures ment and redevelopment projects in com- The manual and a set of brochures can be munities and transportation corridors. The benefits of LID includes cleaner downloaded from www.semcog.org. For lakes and streams through ground wa- more information, contact SEMCOG at How LID protects the ter recharge, and decreased flooding [email protected] or (313) 324-3362. environment and saves money and erosion. LID also reduces municipal infrastructure and utility and maintenance Protecting water quality requires actively —Ric Lawson costs. The manual reports on a variety of managing stormwater runoff through- sources that document cost advantages of out the state. LID is one part of manag- This article was adapted from a press LID practices compared to traditional de- ing stormwater to reduce pollution and release issued by SEMCOG and used with velopment using conventional stormwater meeting other water quality goals within permission. management techniques. communities. LID’s goal is to mimic a site’s pre-settlement hydrology by using design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store,

Huron River Report Spring 2009 Page 7 New HRWC Members Welcome NEW individual and business members and thank you for your commitment to clean water!

Photographer Ed Rosch Your Legacy captured this scene one evening along the Huron a better future for all living things River at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor. You can help ensure that clean wa- ter in the Huron River is protected for generations to come. Consider a charitable bequest that designates HRWC as a beneficiary in your will, trust, retirement plan, or insurance Aisin World Corp. of America Diana Kern and Julie Douglas policies. Options such as charitable James and Ashley Adox Sherri Kessel remainder trusts may allow you to Lynda Asher Joe Krulack increase cash income during your Autodesk, Inc. Pam Labadie and Karim Motawi lifetime, while providing HRWC Andrew Baker Gregory J. Larson and Serena Ann Schwartz with much-needed funding in years Genevieve Bantle George Lavoie to come. David Bay and Susan Campbell Lloyd L. and Joyce E. Lober Elizabeth and Arthur Beaudoin Tracey Marchyok A charitable bequest is a gift of Lawrence Berlin and Jean McPhail William C. and Sally A. Martin assets to a charity through a will or Gene and Kay Berrodin Andrea Matthies Revocable Living Trust. The bequest Luther D. and Melissa M. Blackburn Carole A. McCabe allows you to make a substantial Lare Blum David Mifsud contribution without reducing Duane J. and Ann C. Bonvallet Susan Monet current income; it operates like a Marjorie and Kenneth Boyer Nawal Motawi and Glenn Dong postdated check payable only after Rachel Brett Harley National City - PCG death. There are four different ways Daniel and Amy Broderick Daniel Okon to specify a charitable bequest: a John Carson Mark B. and Susan M. Orringer percentage of the estate; a dol- Evan K. Chambers Mark Patrick lar amount; a specific asset; or a Allison Clements David J. and Renee Pinsky residue of the estate following the Conservation Design Forum Kendra Pyle satisfaction of other bequests. Aline Cotel Raymond J. Rabidoux Mathew Davis Resource Recycling Systems We are hosting afternoon tea par- Linda Diane Feldt Richner & Richner ties this spring to help you under- Barbara Eberbach Dean C. and Phyllis V. Russell stand your options and to have an Dennis and Claire Fernly Peter Schriemer expert answer your questions. Call E.M. Floyd Kenneth Sharrock Margaret Smith at (734) 769-5123 John Foley Adam and Theresa A. Smith x19 to sign up for an Afternoon Tea Steven Francoeur William and Louis A. Solomon Party. Chris Kelly, Charitable Gift Jason Frenzel Paul Steen expert will be on hand to explain Barbara Fuller-Ryan Nell Stern the various ways you can make a Otto and Lourdes Gago John C. and Sharon P. Stetz charitable bequest, and Arbor Teas Martin Gold Kimberly Suedkamp Wells will make you a perfect cup of tea Jack Goodnoe Ian and Amy Switalski for your enjoyment. George S. Hammond Thomas F. and Nancy E. Taylor Carol and James Harris Christopher Taylor — Margaret Smith Lee W. Hartmann Philip Tchou Lucia Heinold Bruce Thelen and Kathryn Flood Benjamin Henry Lynn Vaccaro John Hicks Douglas Vandenberg Carsten Hohnke Bonnie Walworth Johnson Controls Susan Webster McDonald Johnson Hill - Land Ethics Studio Teri and John Williams Kristin H. Jordan Michael Winkelman Deborah E. Kanter

Page 8 Spring 2009 Huron River Report Giving You a Better View How phosphorus impacts our waterways

Since 2003, University of Michigan scien- tists have been studying the nuisance algae conditions in Ford and Belleville Lakes. Fed by the excessive nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen, algae grow to enormous propor- it begins in tions within a few days, and water quality deteriorates.

The study was conducted in two parts. First, the researchers examined the your yard... reasons why nuisance algae conditions exist. Second, they performed large-scale experiments in Ford Lake to test possible long-term solutions. The results show a promising improvement in water quality and have been reported in past newsletter articles.

Residents of Ford and Belleville Lakes and the surrounding communities will receive a mailed summary of the findings in March. In the meantime, for a chronicle of the project’s development, archives of the research data, and progress reports, go to www.umich.edu/hrstudy.

— Pam Labadie © HRWC 2005 How you fertilize your lawn impacts our fresh water. Local communities with Rainwater washes off your yard carrying pollutants like PHOSPHORUS ORDINANCES fertilizer and pesticides into our rivers and lakes directly or that ban the use of manufactured through the storm drains, untreated. phosphorous fertilizer on turf grass unless a soil test confirms it is needed: Small actions make a

• Pittsfield Township BIG difference. . . • City of Ann Arbor • Keep fertilizer away until early May. Wait until the ground • City of Orchard Lake Village is fully thawed to apply it. Better, a single fall application • Commerce Township may be all you need. • Hamburg Township • Don't guess, soil test. Find the fertilizer best suited for • West Bloomfield the condition of your soil. Most area lawns already have enough phosphorus. • Use a broom to sweep fertilizer spills on sidewalks back SOIL TESTING onto your lawn. is available through • Reduce your need for fertilizer by keeping the grass blade County MSU Extension Agents: 3 inches tall after cutting to promote healthy root growth. Livingston (517) 546-3950 Monroe (734) 240-3170 • Leave a “no fertilizer” zone of 25 feet from waterways. Oakland (248) 858-0902 Washtenaw (734) 997-1819

Wayne (313) 833-3412 Go to www.hrwc.org for more tips.

Huron River Report Spring 2009 Page 9 Know Your Board Representative Sally Lusk, City of Ypsilanti

Sally Lusk is one of two HRWC representa- Sally and Jon have three chil- tives from the City of Ypsilanti. dren, scattered from Maryland to Hawaii, and three young grandchil- Sally is a professor emeritus from the dren. In addition to staying busy University of Michigan, having served and involved in clean water issues, on the faculty for 34 years. She earned a Sally also enjoys travel, reading, bachelor’s degree in nursing from Indiana assisting others with research, and University, a master’s degree in public raising money to fund research health and a Ph. D. in educational psychol- grants. ogy from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Residents of the City of Ypsilanti can contact Sally at (734) 484-4347 Sally grew up in Southwest Michigan, living if you have questions, suggestions, on a lake that was too polluted for swim- comments, or wish to become ming, which may explain her broad interest involved with watershed issues. in the environment and her focus on its issues. She and her husband, Jon, now live — Eunice Burns on the Huron River. She is interested in the water quality of the river and is distressed photo: S. Lusk by the recent increase in weeds and algae near her home.

HRWC BOARD OF DIRECTORS HRWC STAFF

CITY OF ANN ARBOR GREEN OAK TOWNSHIP SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP Jennifer Fike Shirley Axon Fred Hanert John Langs (Vice Chair) Finance Manager Dick Norton (Exec. Comm.) HAMBURG TOWNSHIP SYLVAN TOWNSHIP [email protected] Eunice Burns (Exec. Comm.) Julie Metty Bennett vacant Pam Labadie Craig Hupy HURON TOWNSHIP VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP Marketing Director Joan Lowenstein Deeda Stanczak Dan Swallow [email protected] Ric Lawson Evan Pratt (Treasurer) Robert Stanczak (alternate) WALLED LAKE Watershed Planner John Hieftje (alternate) LIVINGSTON COUNTY Lisa McGill [email protected] ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP vacant WASHTENAW COUNTY Joan Martin Diane O’Connell (Exec. Comm.) VILLAGE OF MILFORD Janis Bobrin (Exec. Comm.) Adopt-A-Stream Director VILLAGE OF BARTON HILLS vacant Scott Munzel [email protected] James Wilkes MILFORD TOWNSHIP Lucia Brewer (alternate) Kris Olsson CITY OF BELLEVILLE Mary Bajcz WAYNE COUNTY Watershed Ecologist vacant NORTHFIELD TOWNSHIP Kurt Heise [email protected] CITY OF BRIGHTON Sue Shink WEBSTER TOWNSHIP Cynthia Radcliffe Sue Monet OAKLAND COUNTY Eric Petrovskis (Exec. Comm.) Webmaster [email protected] BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP Chris Benedict (Exec. Comm.) W. BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP Elizabeth Riggs Mike Slaton VILLAGE OF PINCKNEY Gene Farber Watershed Planner vacant BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP [email protected] vacant PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP vacant Laura Rubin CITY OF CHELSEA vacant CITY OF WIXOM Executive Director Steven Wright PUTNAM TOWNSHIP Michael Howell [email protected] COMMERCE TOWNSHIP Keith Tianen VILLAGE OF WOLVERINE LAKE Margaret M. Smith vacant CITY OF ROCKWOOD vacant Director of Development DEXTER TOWNSHIP vacant CITY OF YPSILANTI [email protected] Kathryn Bowring SALEM TOWNSHIP Sally Lusk Paul Steen VILLAGE OF DEXTER vacant Tom Roach Watershed Ecologist [email protected] Paul Cousins (Chair) SCIO TOWNSHIP YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP Debi Weiker CITY OF FLAT ROCK Spaulding Clark Norm Andresen Watershed Program Associate vacant Gerry Kangas (alternate) [email protected] GENOA TOWNSHIP VILLAGE OF SOUTH vacant ROCKWOOD Tim Walsh

Page 10 Spring 2009 Huron River Report Laura’s “Stream” of Consciousness A symphony for the Huron River Watershed Watershed Symphony Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Evan Chambers, a resident of the water- to evoke the quiet magic, fragile beauty, Saturday April 18th, 8 PM shed and faculty member at the Universi- and great power of one of this region’s Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor ty of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & most important natural ecosystems. Dance, has composed a symphony about Current HRWC members the Huron River watershed to honor the Evan described his motivation for writing get 20% off the ticket price! Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra’s (A2SO) a symphony about the Huron River: Call 734-994-4801 for information. 80th anniversary year, a “watershed mo- “I live near the Huron River, and often ment” for the organization. His work, Wa- spend time kayaking the stretch nearest tershed, draws its inspiration and its title my house. I go down to see the water the audience to the beauty and fragility from the Huron River watershed – all the almost every day. When the Ann Arbor of the river system in a way that might lands and creeks that feed into and are Symphony asked me to write a piece be a bit unusual – symphony orchestra touched by the river – and the invisible with a local theme, it struck me that the concerts are not usually dedicated to en- and the visible flow of water that con- Huron and its tributary streams form a vironmental issues. But rather than writing nects our region. The river and the wide very real connection between us in this a piece of music that would be didactic area its many arms embrace is a metaphor part of Southeast Michigan. The river and informational, my goal is to give for the sometimes subtle but important literally flows through all of our veins, people an aesthetic experience and result- ways in which we are all connected by and even the groundwater that feeds ing emotional response that might come the landscape, as well as by community wells for those off the city water grids to inform their understanding of the river organizations that bring us together, again is connected directly to the flow of the and water stewardship in our region. We and again, through time. The music of the river. This seems like an auspicious meta- are currently working to include a reading piece flows in a single movement (much phor to celebrate the anniversary of an by the poet Keith Taylor in the perfor- like the river itself), beginning with small important community arts organization, mance, using two of his recent works pools of impressionist sound and cul- one which also works toward bringing us about the river as another way to make minating with a grand opening into the together and connecting us. that experience of place more tangible.” broad horizons of Lake Erie. It also seeks I also wanted to bring the attention of — Laura Rubin

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Photo: Jeff Oleksinski Jeff Photo: this membership form with ■ $35 Mayfly your check made out to ■ $50 Crayfish “HRWC” or join on-line at ■ $100 Dragonfly www.hrwc.org and click on ■ $250 Soft Shell Turtle Join Now! Your contribution ■ $500 Salamander is tax-deductible. ■ $1,000 Smallmouth Bass Fulfilling Goals ■ $2,500 Great Blue Heron Leave a legacy by including the Huron River Watershed thank you! ■ $5,000 Mink Council in your will and estate plans. Please remember HRWC and our important watershed protection and Name restoration programs with a generous bequest in your will or trust. Help us meet the challenges of keeping our Address river running clean. If you have already included HRWC in your will, please let us know so we can thank you. City State Zip With your support the watershed will be enjoyed for many generations to come. Email Please contact us to discuss planned giving options. Phone Margaret Smith, Development Director. (734) 769-5123 x 19 , [email protected]

Huron River Report Spring 2009 Page 11 Huron River Watershed Council NONPROFIT 1100 N. Main Street U.S. POSTAGE Ann Arbor, MI 48104 PAID (734) 769-5123 Ann Arbor, MI www.hrwc.org Permit #435

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Thanks to Our Volunteers! Protecting the Huron is a big job and we would be lost without the donations of time, talents, and resources from our dedicated volunteers. We extend Special Thanks to:

Environmental Science students at Glenn Heiber, Wes Daining, Kris Jennifer Gough, Development Intern, for Lansing Community College, Howell Kaul, and Beth Olson for performing her service from September to December. Campus, Eric Kennedy’s class at South field assessments for the Bioreserve We wish her well in her graduate studies Lyon High School, and 25 people Project at the University of Michigan. who are driving around the watershed performing roadside surveys for the The 185 people who spent Saturday Polina Gouskova, Green Hills School Bioreserve Project. January 31st successfully searching for student, for filling in on the database stoneflies at 40 sites throughout the work for year-end donations, and giving Lynn Vaccaro for creating an Access watershed and the 9 additional people up holiday vacation time to help us until database for tracking and scoring natu- who prepared and staffed the event. we get a new intern. ral areas assessed for the Bioreserve Project. Beverly Black for helping staff make Cynthia Radcliffe and John Lofy for better presentations and helping us careful review of the Huron River Report Samantha Wolf for organizing and in- reach our audiences more effectively. each quarter. putting data for the Bioreserve Project. Larry Short of TEC Detroit for leading a staff development workshop.